Part of putting food by is that I feel responsible for my larder. I want to cook the best food from the ingredients I have preserved. I also want everything to last as long as it can. I cried the first time I broke a canning jar, and don’t even ask why I hate rutabagas. I have had nightmares about opening my pantry and hundreds of rats streaming out, leaving nothing behind but some crumbs.
My heart broke today when I found mold in my dried tomatoes. I hadn’t kept up with their curing, and there must have been some pockets of moisture left. Plus it’s been humid here, so that doesn’t help.
I went through all of my tomatoes and checked for mold. Then I went through the dried apricots-all were okay.
ReLocavore: Redefining "local" 
September 21, 2013 at 12:46 pm
I had to throw out a batch of dried tomatoes also. I know the feeling when you break a jar. It is the thought of all that blood, sweat and tears in growing it, cleaning it, canning it, and it dies. Knock on wood, I haven’t broken one this season. Today I am canning my spaghetti sauce. Been thinking about all those lovely pears down the street. I may have to do one more batch. Wish I had peaches.